Melvin Ladousier: Pipelines make more sense than shipping oil by rail
Re “Derailed train leaks oil, sparks blaze by Columbia River “ (Page 12A, June 4): Environmentalists who oppose pipelines take note. Oil is going to move from point A to point B one way or another. Do not think that blocking the Keystone pipeline project has stopped the oil from crossing numerous rivers, lakes and reservoirs between the oilfields and Gulf Coast refineries. All of the oil is making a much more dangerous trip by rail. In our area, Castle AFB, during its operation, was supplied millions of gallons of fuel from the Port of Stockton by rail until it transitioned to supply by pipeline to improve reliability and security. The pipeline never leaked or ruptured. A short trip for sure, but no less indicative of the benefits of a pipeline over rail.
Think through your logic for opposition. You can not stop the oil companies from transporting their oil from field to factory unless you kill the drilling operations and refineries in this country. Would you prefer old railways to a new pipeline?
Melvin Ladousier, Merced
This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 6:55 PM with the headline "Melvin Ladousier: Pipelines make more sense than shipping oil by rail."